Embracing Alternative Energy – Zero Energy Idea House!
Oil Prices Up Today – We Never Learn
A vintage picture from the 1973 "oil crisis"
I was in Junior High School when the 1970’s and the oil “crisis” hit. It was a real wake-up call to Americans regarding our dependence on foreign oil. In response, there was a huge wave of interest in innovative solutions to problems that, at that time seemed imminent: dependence on fossil fuels, overpopulation, world-wide starvation, etc.. Back then it seemed as if our capacity for innovation and enterprise would lead the U.S. into the 21st Century with technologies and ideas making us more self sufficient than ever.
Alas, when the price of gas fell and the Reagan Administration declared “it’s morning in America,” we all but forgot about changing our way of life. After all, Americans have always had the attitude that our “lifestyle” is not negotiable. The 80’s, the 90’s and now the first decade of the 21st century have come and gone and we are only now coming to grips with some enormous challenges.
As a Realtor® and homeowner, I’ve been aware that the way we build and power our homes hasn’t changed in over 100 years. In spite of the technologies and building methods at our fingertips, our homes are extremely inefficient and wasteful. We are incredibly dependent on the “grid” for our existence. Sooner or later we will be forced to change our ways. We simply cannot continue to burn coal, natural gas and oil to run our homes and cities. Well, it was inspiring and enlightening to find a home that is blazing the path for others to follow: Zero Energy Idea House!
Home Building Pioneers in the Seattle Area
Last week the SeattlePI reported that there would be an open house in Sammamish at a home called Zero Energy Idea House which, by incorporating a number of “green” building technologies, results in the consumption of only $500 worth of energy per year. OK, I couldn’t resist checking this out. So, on Saturday I visited Zero Energy Idea House.
The owners, Donna and Riley Shirey (Shirey Contracting) have owned the land on which this home is built since the 1970’s. According to Donna, this home is the result of many years of thinking and planning. They want the home to be a model that others can use to incorporate “alternative” solutions to our modern-day energy challenges.
Notice the solar panels, pvc hot water system and wind turbine!
I asked Donna why there are so few home builders interested in incorporating alternative products into homes. Donna indicated that they have approached builders for many years and basically found none willing to incorporate green technologies. “It’s all about profit margins,” she said. Donna indicated that many of the components of her home are not “new.” Most are easily obtainable from suppliers and have been for years.
I did not take pictures of the interior of Zero Energy Idea House out of respect for the owners; however, I did have the opportunity to wander around and check out the huge number of green products including the surfaces, floors, appliances, the water and heating systems, etc. One of the most fascinating components of the house was the HelixWind turbine which is ideal for city applications as it does not require the straight-line winds that the propeller turbines need.
Click on this picture to view a video of how it works!
Overall, it was a great educational visit to Zero Energy Idea House. I believe that it’s time we begin a serious discussions with our governmental leaders and those who actually build homes to start utilizing these 21st Century technologies.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Hey there Jim, We went through this terrific home on Sunday. Everyone should go see it.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Hi Larry – Yes, wasn’t it a fascinating home? If builders and homeowners would incorporate one or two of the components featured in this structure, we would be well on our way to creating a better world! Unfortunately, most people don’t see the long term advantages to using wind or solar power. The owner was very clear about the fact that builders are not-at-all interested in building homes like this, even though all of the technology and products are available. She also described the battle they’ve been fighting with the City regarding their solar panels. The City is demanding that they apply for another permit (almost $900) for the solar system, even though the system plans were approved and installation was completed according to the plans. I’ve heard this complaint from another owner I know with solar. It seems that jurisdictions make it difficult and expensive for owners to install these new technologies.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Now I may be completly wrong, but it seems to me that the reason these jurisdicitons are charging so much for all of these permits is to make up for or to gain additional revenue. If your using solar energy your electric bill will go down. That means less money the city gets to tax the electric company off their income (which comes from people paying their electric bill). Plus most people get tax reductions or rebates for installing green forms of energy. By requiring all of these different permits and making them expensive to obtain the city is able to regain some of the money they lost; or save money by discouraging consumers from purchasing these green alternatives since there are many costly permits that need to be obtained.
October 21st, 2009 at 6:49 am
Hi Chris – Remember, economics is all about incentives and local jurisdictions are famous for figuring out how to find revenue in the most interesting places. If there was really a commitment by cities to encourage the use of alternative energy, they would STREAMLINE the process and CHARGE LESS for the permitting in order to lower long-term costs.
Only time will tell if we, as a society, are willing to pay the real price for our energy. Pay now or pay later.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
[...] Embracing Alternative Energy – Zero Energy Idea House! [...]
December 12th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
[...] a number of blog posts, I’ve highlighted some of these technologies: “Embracing Alternative Energy – The Zero Energy Idea House” and “Solar Energy – The Perfect Remodeling Project of the Future”. In the course of [...]